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King County Council honors former Issaquah mayor

August 31, 2011

By Warren Kagarise

A.J. Culver (center), former Issaquah mayor, holds certificate from the King County Council after members recognized him for a long public-service career Monday. Contributed

NEW — 6 a.m. Aug. 31, 2011

King County Council members honored former Issaquah Mayor A.J. Culver on Monday for important contributions in public service.

The council recognized Culver for service as mayor, on the Municipal League of King County and Harborview Medical Center boards, and as a representative to the county Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee.

Culver, a retired Boeing Co. employee, served as mayor from 1982-89 as Issaquah started to grow from a far-flung Seattle suburb to a commercial center on the Eastside. Before serving as executive, Culver held a seat on the City Council from 1972-79.

The accomplished climber also led the Seattle Mountaineers, a climbing group. The council referenced Culver’s affinity for climbing in the official recognition.

The council praised Culver “for his civic leadership and dedication to improving the quality of life in King County” and applauded the former mayor “for reaching a new peak in public service,” the recognition states.

Culver as the Municipal League representative to the elections committee, a key role as leaders sought to restore confidence in local elections.

The council formed the elections watchdog group in 2003 to oversee elections — and improve performance and accountability — at the then-King County Elections Division.

The committee offered numerous recommendations to improve King County elections — changes the county then implemented. Changes to state and federal laws served as catalysts for other reforms.

The group also reassured voters after the disputed 2004 race for governor.

The contest between former state Sen. Dino Rossi, a Republican, and then-Attorney General Chris Gregoire, a Democrat, dragged on through recounts and a court challenge. In the end, Gregoire edged out Rossi by 133 votes — the closest gubernatorial race in United States history.